Detroit Youth Organization R.E.A.C.H./AAU Basketball Historic National Championship This Weekend
A Dramatic Story how Inner City Youth Organizations Overcame A Dangerous Challenge To Find a Silver Lining

DETROIT, Aug. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On Aug 9th an historic new chapter in Detroit basketball history will be written, as Detroit R.E.A.C.H. Legends travel to Dallas to compete in the first Annual Dallas/Detroit Friendship Classic. It promises to be a great match-up between two top high school student basketball teams. However, the real story is much bigger than the game itself. It's about character, commitment, and rising above adversity.

Both teams represent what can be accomplished when someone takes the time to help inner-city kids realize their potential. National Director and Coach Marc Webster of Detroit's R.E.A.C.H. program, and Coach Marlo Johnson of The Texas Hotshots program are quick to credit their success to the hard work and positive spirit of their team members.

"Life is normally a one-chance deal," says Webster. "Our guys will get an unheard of second chance to prove themselves in a championship game." "Texas Hotshots Basketball is teaching our youth to grow in spirit, mind, and body," adds Johnson. "It's through this game they learn to be winners in the great game of life."

The team is represented by players from several high schools throughout the Metro Detroit area, including Detroit Pershing, Intercity Baptist, Detroit Cass Tech, Detroit Country Day, Warren Mott, Southfield Christian, and Hollow.

These young student athlete superstars displayed so much heart and talent this year, they were invited to compete in the National AAU BigFoot Las Vegas Classic Championship game on July 29th. R.E.A.C.H. and Hotshots beat teams from all over the country to make it to the finals. Sadly, that Championship game was canceled due to a sudden atmosphere of threats and violence involving another team with poor sportsmanship. Both finalists had earned, through their dedication to excellence, the opportunity to win a championship, with 15 minutes to go, the game time was suddenly taken away. However, instead of discouraging these remarkable high school athletes and team leadership, their resolution to play their championship rallied financial support that began with these two coaches displaying pure sportsmanship intent, within days of what could have been another disappointment. As a result, the coaches and team members decided to create a finals. They earned the opportunity to win a championship "The Game" as it has come to be called, is destined to honor this historic event for years to come. A tradition of goodwill –and great basketball–is born. This is a first for AAU basketball, that a championship was canceled, and the solution was a first, where opportunity achieved deserved outcome.

R.E.A.C.H., Respect, Education, Athletics, Character, Hope. Youth Programs is a Detroit-based non-profit organization serving Detroit area youth since 1982. Find more information about R.E.A.C.H. and all the other services we provide at the following website. www.ReachYouthPrograms.org.